Help! My ugly pine tree needs friends!

My only tree is a non-shedding (needles) pine tree. I would love to put a border of stones around it, with soil for flowers. The roots are close to the ground. It's a tall skinny tree and I have 3' of heighth to work with. I don't want to hurt the tree, but would love to make it look better. I don't know what type it is. I removed the branches that were close to the ground last year. Any ideas? I live in lower Michigan.

I'm no expert either, and I have the same problem. I have some ponderosa pines that I would love to be able to grow something under, however, I don't want to trim the lower branches either. I love the natural look. I hate the unkept dead look underneath though.

From what I've read, you cannot add more soil around pines, because you might smother the roots. After reading that, I got scared of killing the trees and haven't done anything with them.

I hope someone that lives up here in the North can offer some suggestions.

Are there any hardy azaleas,or rhododendrons that y'all can grow?Lots of people put these under pines down here and they are lovely in the spring.

Thank you, JoanJ I couldn't find anything on covering the roots of pines, and that was my biggest concern. Like you, I didn't like the looks of the tree underneath, but more than that it was too hard too mow around, and it is in the front yard that I like to keep neat. I sure fretted after trimming it. I wish I could send a picture in but I'm new to the internet and don't have a camera yet. It is the UGLIEST tree you have ever seen, but I love it more than my prettiest flower!! Thanks, Melody, yes, we can do well with azaleas & rhododendrons. That's an idea, and they are gorgeous! Two years ago I found a tiny pine tree sprouting in one of my flower beds, and let it grow until it was 1ft. tall and transplanted it into the front yard. It is a prtty little thing and is doing great. Now Ugh! will have a friend!!

Ponderosa pines can be limbed up when they are at least 10' tall to produce a visibly beautiful trunk. That is how they grow naturally in some of the western states.

If you have room under your pine, you can grow some shade-lovers in containers under it. I have seen some gorgeous arrangements done with hostas and ferns in and around some spruce and balsam. That way the roots are left undisturbed, and the perennials and annuals flourish! (If the containers are big enough, perennials survive winter fine.)

Lupinelover, I must have had an obsession about rocks around my tree's base, because I never thought about putting pots under it for plants! Now that you mention it, I remember seeing planters that will circle the base. Thanks for the brain jolt. Removing the lower branches made a big difference in the look of my tree. It just needs some color now.